CLEVELAND -- The Detroit Lions escaped Cleveland with a much-needed win. And might have escaped without another major injury as well.

Starting cornerback Rashean Mathis and reserve tailback Joique Bell both left the 31-17 victory Sunday against the Browns, but said they believe their injuries were minor.

Bell felt a rib "pop" on his first carry of the fourth quarter and tried to continue, but decided against it when he felt the rib pop again on the sideline. He had X-rays, which came back negative.

Bell said he hurt the rib when he was bent backward in an awkward position and then chose to protect the ball instead of shield himself from a hit.

"I stayed on for another play -- tried to play through it," Bell said. "We had a run-pass option and (Reggie Bush) caught it. I got back there with Matt (Stafford), who was in shotgun, looked at Matt and said 'Pass! Pass! Pass!' We get to the sideline and he's like, 'I thought you was telling me to pass because you liked the look.'

"At the time, it wasn't really that bad. Went to the sideline and told the coaches I was good to go. I was about to run back out when I did a certain movement and it just kind of pops. I couldn't go. I wanted to stay in. It hurt my heart to stay out."

Bell was in pain in the locker room, but said "it's tolerable right now. Just get back home and handle my business."

Mathis, meantime, left the game in the second quarter when a receiver put a double-move on him and he tweaked his groin. It was a non-contact injury.

He cut on the sideline for medical staff, testing whether he could return, but ultimately decided against it.

"I was trying to get back out there, but I just know my body," he said. "Just being smart. Soft-tissue injuries, you have to be smart.

"I probably could have returned. We're going to see what everything looks like and see how sore it is in the morning."